VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 28, 2008) - Aurizon Mines Ltd. (TSX:ARZ)(AMEX:AZK) is pleased to announce additional drilling results from the East block of its Joanna project, located 20 kilometres from Rouyn-Noranda, in north-western, Quebec.
Forty eight (48) additional holes totalling 11,828 metres have been completed to date in the East block of Joanna with the objective of confirming the continuity, grade and thickness of the mineralized zone. To date, assay results from forty (40) of forty eight (48) holes have been received. Seventeen of the holes had grades greater than 1.0 grams of gold per tonne over a minimum true thickness of 24 metres and are as follows:
JOANNA - EAST BLOCK
Surface Exploration
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Length
True
East North From To Gold Grade thickness
Hole (metresE) (metresN) (metres) (metres) (grams/tonne Au) (metres)
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JA-07-68 8600 1478 88.5 114.0 1.5 24.2
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JA-07-69 8600 1478 87.0 125.0 1.4 34.3
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JA-07-71 8975 1450 85.5 135.0 1.1 38.8
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JA-07-78 8975 1514 148.5 177.0 1.6 24.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-83 9000 1564 154.5 213.0 1.4 57.1
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JA-07-84 8600 1572 100.5 132.0 1.2 30.8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-85 8475 1519 144.0 178.5 1.1 32.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-86 8475 1519 139.5 171.0 1.1 30.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-87 8875 1572 151.5 204.0 1.3 50.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-91 8500 1487 133.5 165.0 1.4 25.9
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JA-07-92 8500 1487 127.5 156.0 1.5 25.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-94 8500 1487 112.5 144.0 1.6 30.7
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JA-07-99 8925 1505 112.5 142.5 1.2 29.4
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JA-07-101 8525 1503 121.5 154.5 1.4 31.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-105 8550 1511 114.0 150.0 1.5 35.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-107 8875 1514 111.0 139.5 1.6 28.0
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JA-07-108 8575 1494 102.0 130.5 1.3 27.9
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"The additional infill drilling confirms the continuity, grade and width of the existing resource, which is required in order to advance Joanna to a pre-feasibility decision," said Michel Gilbert, Vice President.
In addition, six other holes intersected high grade veins over widths exceeding 11 metres within the gold bearing corridor. The results are as follows:
JOANNA - EAST BLOCK
Surface Exploration
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Length
True
East North From To Gold Grade thickness
Hole (metresE) (metresN) (metres) (metres) (grams/tonne Au) (metres)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-70 8600 1478 165.0 180.0 6.8 11.3
171.0 175.0 20.6 3.0
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JA-07-72 8975 1450 54.0 73.4 3.6 19.1
Including 54.0 55.5 24.6 1.5
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JA-07-73 8625 1500 105.0 139.1 3.1 32.7
109.0 110.2 47.5 1.2
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JA-07-82 8675 1495 84.0 141.0 2.0 55.7
Including 139.5 141.0 22.7 1.5
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JA-07-100 8525 1503 135.0 163.5 2.3 23.7
Including 135.0 138.0 12.0 2.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-115 8625 1500 114.0 165.0 4.0 46.8
Including 156.0 157.5 80.3 1.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective as of October 26, 2007, mineral resources at Joanna are estimated at 11.3 million tonnes averaging 1.7 grams of gold per tonne, or 630,000 ounces in the indicated mineral resource category and 28.6 million tonnes averaging 1.6 grams of gold per tonne, for 1.42 million ounces in the inferred mineral resource category. Details of key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate the mineral resources and other information required by National Instrument 43-101 is included in the Technical Report - Resource modeling & estimation update - Joanna Gold deposit, dated October 26, 2007, filed under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com.
Work in Progress
- A preliminary economic assessment report is in progress. This study will focus mainly on the upper part of the East block, above the 200 metre level, and will be based only on the current mineral resource estimate as of October 26, 2007.
- Four rigs are currently active on the property, as follows:
- Two rigs are conducting infill drilling within the existing East block mineral resource contour and along its lateral extension. The results of this infill drilling program will be integrated within an updated mineral resource estimate later this year.
- The two other rigs are currently active along the dip extension of the East block to test high grade enrichment below the 500 metre level.
Quality Control
Core assays are performed on core sawed in quarter or in half, with standard fire assay procedures and atomic absorption finition and gravimetric finition for samples above 1 gram of gold per tonne. Certified reference material, field duplicata and coarse blanks are inserted in the sample sequence for quality control. Assay checking on the pulp and reject samples are carried out systematically. Exploration primary assaying is performed at Labexpert of Rouyn-Noranda and check assays are carried out by ALS Chemex of Val D'Or.
Drill hole planning, implementation and the quality control program is supervised by Martin Demers P.Geo., Exploration manager, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Demers also supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information in this news release.
Additional Information
One sketch is attached showing the Joanna area. Detailed drill results from the additional holes are reported in a separate table attached to this news release. All other information previously released on the Joanna Project is also available on the Aurizon website.
About Aurizon
Aurizon is a gold producer with a growth strategy focused on developing its existing projects in the Abitibi region of north-western Quebec, one of the world's most prolific gold and base metal regions, and by increasing its asset base through accretive transactions. Aurizon shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ARZ" and on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "AZK". Additional information on Aurizon and its properties is available on Aurizon's website at http://www.aurizon.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This News Release contains "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimated mineral resources, a preliminary economic assessment, and work programs. Forward-looking statements express, as at the date of this News Release, the Company's plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events or results and the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, including, with respect to mineral resource estimates, the key assumptions and parameters on which such estimates are based, as set out in the technical report for the property, and involve risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Therefore, actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of gold; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; and other risks more fully described in Aurizon's Annual Information Form filed with the Securities Commissions of the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, and in Aurizon's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents are available on Sedar at www.sedar.com and on Edgar at www.sec.gov.
CAUTIONARY NOTE TO US READERS
As a British Columbia corporation, the Company is subject to certain rules and regulations issued by the British Columbia Securities Commission ("BC Securities Commission"). The Company is required to provide detailed information regarding its properties including mineralization, drilling, sampling and analysis, security of samples and mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates. Further, the Company describes mineral resources associated with its properties utilizing terminology such as "indicated" or "inferred" which terms are recognized by Canadian regulations but are not recognized by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Regarding Mineral Resources
The SEC allows mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits they can economically and legally extract or produce. The Company may use certain terms in this document, such as "mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred resources" that are recognized and mandated by Canadian securities regulators but are not recognized by the SEC.
This News Release may use the term "indicated" resources. U.S. readers are cautioned that while that term is recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize it. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in this category will ever be converted into mineral reserves.
This News Release may also use the term "inferred" resources. U.S. readers are cautioned that while this term is recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize it. "Inferred resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.
Aurizon Mines Joanna Project - East Block
Surface Exploration
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Length
along the True
East North From To Gold hole thickness
Hole (mE) (mN) (m) (m) (g/t Au) (m) (m) Zone
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-68 8600 1478.0 88.5 114.0 1.5 25.5 24.2 S
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JA-07-69 8600 1478.0 87.0 125.0 1.4 38.0 34.3 S
Including 106.5 108.0 9.0 1.5 1.4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-70 8600 1478.0 45.0 54.0 1.4 9.0 6.5 N
118.5 144.0 0.8 25.5 19.0 S
165.0 180.0 6.8 15.0 11.3 S
Including 171.0 175.0 20.6 4.0 3.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-71 8975 1450.0 85.5 135.0 1.1 49.5 38.8 S
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JA-07-72 8975 1450.0 54.0 73.4 3.6 19.4 19.1 S
Including 54.0 55.5 24.6 1.5 1.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-73 8625 1500.0 49.5 64.50 1.0 15.0 14.3 N
93.0 97.0 3.9 4.0 3.8 S
Including 96.0 97.0 14.4 1.0 1.0
105.0 139.1 3.1 34.1 32.7 S
Including 109.0 110.2 47.5 1.2 1.2
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JA-07-74 8550 1581.0 118.0 141.5 0.9 23.5 23.1 N
174.0 199.5 0.9 25.5 25.1 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-75 8650 1528 75.0 102.0 1.0 27.0 22.8 N
139.0 154.5 1.1 15.5 13.3 S
187.5 211.5 0.8 24.0 21.0 S
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JA-07-76 8650 1528.0 70.5 93.0 1.3 22.5 20.5 N
168.2 185.0 1.3 16.8 15.6 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-77 8650 1528.0 67.0 81.0 1.2 14.0 13.6 N
120.0 139.0 1.3 19.0 18.7 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-78 8975 1514.0 88.5 102.0 0.8 13.5 11.7 S
115.5 144.0 0.9 28.5 24.7 S
148.5 177.0 1.6 28.5 24.7 S
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JA-07-79 8975 1514.0 79.5 91.5 1.3 12.0 11.8 S
118.5 147.0 0.9 28.5 27.8 S
Including 126.0 139.5 1.2 13.5 13.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-80 8575 1575 115.0 132.0 1.6 17 16.8 N
175.5 189.0 1.6 13.5 13.3 S
204.0 216.0 1.0 12 11.9 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-81 8675 1495 133.0 159.0 1.5 26.0 23.2 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-82 8675 1495 84.0 141.0 2.0 57.0 55.7 S
Including 139.5 141.0 22.7 1.5 1.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-83 9000 1564 132.0 141.0 2.3 9.0 8.8 S
Including 132.0 133.5 8.4 1.5 1.5
154.5 213.0 1.4 58.5 57.1 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-84 8600 1572 100.5 132.0 1.2 31.5 30.8 N
167.2 189.0 1.7 21.8 21.4 S
203.0 215.0 1.0 12.0 11.8 S
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JA-07-85 8475 1519 81.0 103.5 0.8 22.5 21.1 N
144.0 178.5 1.1 34.5 32.7 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-86 8475 1519 85.5 98.8 1.2 13.3 12.9 N
139.5 171.0 1.1 31.5 30.7 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-87 8875 1572 151.5 204.0 1.3 52.5 50.9 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-88 Assays pending
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JA-07-89 8625 1564 103.5 125.2 1.2 21.7 20.6 N
201.0 217.5 2.0 16.5 15.8 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-90 8625 1564 94.5 118.5 1.1 24.0 23.7 N
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-91 8500 1487 58.5 87.0 1.3 28.5 22.8 N
133.5 165.0 1.4 31.5 25.9 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-92 8500 1487 58.5 84.4 0.9 25.9 22.7 N
127.5 156.0 1.5 28.5 25.4 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-93 Assays pending
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-94 8500 1487 52.5 70.5 0.9 18.0 17.6 N
112.5 144.0 1.6 31.5 30.7 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-95 8959 1647 243.0 256.5 0.8 13.5 12.9 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-96 8950 1647 184.5 207.0 1.1 22.5 21.9 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-97 8900 1540 127.5 148.5 1.4 21.0 19.7 S
157.5 181.5 1.6 24.0 22.4 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-98 8675 1588 158.0 172.5 1.2 14.5 14.3 S
207.0 226.5 1.1 19.5 19.3 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-99 8925 1505 69.0 79.5 1.5 10.5 10.3 S
112.5 142.5 1.2 30.0 29.4 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-100 8525 1503 73.5 99.6 0.8 26.1 21.3 N
135.0 163.5 2.3 28.5 23.7 S
Including 135.0 138.0 12.0 3.0 2.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-101 8525 1503 64.5 82.5 1.2 18.0 17.1 N
121.5 154.5 1.4 33.0 31.5 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-102 8875 1465 45.0 54.0 1.6 9.0 8.8 S
63.7 76.5 1.0 12.8 12.5 S
81.0 103.5 0.8 22.5 22.0 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-103 Assays pending
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-104 Assays pending
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-105 8550 1511 114.0 150.0 1.5 36.0 35.3 S
157.5 174.0 1.1 16.5 16.2 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-106 8725 1585 201.0 216.0 2.2 15.0 14.7 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-107 8875 1514 111.0 139.5 1.6 28.5 28.0 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-108 8575 1494 102.0 130.5 1.3 28.5 27.9 S
138.0 148.5 2.3 10.5 10.3 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-109 8800 1505 89.0 98.0 2.1 9.0 8.8 S
120 135.0 1.9 15.0 14.7 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-110 Assays pending
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JA-07-111 Assays pending
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JA-07-112 Assays pending
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-113 Assays pending
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-114 8725 1585 213.0 229.5 0.8 16.5 15.6 S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
JA-07-115 8625 1500 51.0 60.0 1.8 9.0 8.2 N
114.0 165.0 4.0 51.0 46.8 S
Including 156.0 157.5 80.3 1.5 1.4
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To view the map accompanying this press release please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Aurizon%20Map.pdf
U.S. Registration: (File #0-22672)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Aurizon Mines Ltd.
David Hall
President and C.E.O.
(604) 687-6600 or Toll Free: 1-888-411-GOLD
(604) 687-3932 (FAX)
Aurizon Mines Ltd.
Michel Gilbert
Vice President
(819) 874-4511
(819) 874-3391 (FAX)
Email: info@aurizon.com
Website: www.aurizon.com
Renmark Financial Communications Inc.
Barry Mire
(514) 939-3989
Email: bmire@renmarkfinancial.com
Renmark Financial Communications Inc.
Jen Power
(514) 939-3989
Email: jpower@renmarkfinancial.com
Renmark Financial Communications Inc.
Vanessa Napoli
Media
(514) 939-3989
(514) 939-3717 (FAX)
Email: vnapoli@renmarkfinancial.com
